Extending the Boundaries of Urban Governments A Comprehensive Inquiry into the Impact of Emerging Trends on Small Islands in Atlantic Canada

Canada A federation governed by the British North America Act 1867 and the Canada Constitution Act A federation governed by the British North America Act 1867 and the Canada Constitution Act 3 layers of jurisdiction – federal, provincial and municipal 3 layers of jurisdiction – federal, provincial and municipal Federal government is the overarching government body. Federal government is the overarching government body.

Provinces Sub national jurisdiction of the federation Sub national jurisdiction of the federation Jurisdictional Equals with One Another Jurisdictional Equals with One Another Jurisdictional Equals with the Federal Government Jurisdictional Equals with the Federal Government

Municipalities Local Government delivers the necessary services to local residents Local Government delivers the necessary services to local residents Responsible for representing local constituents Responsible for representing local constituents Are not legal entities Are not legal entities Responsible to province Responsible to province

BNA Act Shapes and defines the arrangement of powers between the federal government and the provinces Shapes and defines the arrangement of powers between the federal government and the provinces Fisheries, health care, education, communications, transportation, financial services. Fisheries, health care, education, communications, transportation, financial services.

Reasons for Federation Long-term political stability Long-term political stability Defined division of powers Defined division of powers A model of effective governance A model of effective governance Offers secure economic, constitutional and social planning agreement across jurisdiction Offers secure economic, constitutional and social planning agreement across jurisdiction Good intergovernmental relations Good intergovernmental relations

Issues It has been said that the ink was barely dry on the BNA Act 1867 before some of the partners in the nation had begun to complain about the federal system … It has been said that the ink was barely dry on the BNA Act 1867 before some of the partners in the nation had begun to complain about the federal system …

Issues Dysfunctional Dysfunctional Competing interests between the federal and provincial governments Competing interests between the federal and provincial governments Unresponsive to Constituents / Provincial needs Unresponsive to Constituents / Provincial needs Provinces feeling increasingly disempowered Provinces feeling increasingly disempowered Ottawa (home of Government of Canada) runs roughshod over provinces Ottawa (home of Government of Canada) runs roughshod over provinces

Federation’s Relationship with Canadian Municipalities New Cities Deal One of five top priorities for recently elected government. One of five top priorities for recently elected government. Municipalities / large urban centers require sufficient funding for infrastructure, mass transit, housing. Municipalities / large urban centers require sufficient funding for infrastructure, mass transit, housing. Urban renewal needed. Urban renewal needed.

Extending the Boundaries of Urban Governments A Comprehensive Inquiry into the Impact of Emerging Trends on Small Islands in Atlantic Canada A Comprehensive Inquiry into the Impact of Emerging Trends on Small Islands in Atlantic Canada